Re: [PATCH] checkpatch: validate commit tag ordering

[Akira Yokosawa]

Hello,

On Thu, 24 Jul 2025 09:20:32 +0200, Hendrik Hamerlinck wrote:
> Modified the checkpatch script to ensure that commit tags (e.g.,
> Signed-off-by, Reviewed-by, Acked-by, Tested-by, etc.) appear in the
> correct order according to kernel conventions [1].
> 
> checkpatch.pl will now emit a BAD_TAG_ORDER warning when tags are out of
> the expected sequence. Multiple tags of the same type are allowed, but
> they must also follow the order. 'Link:' tags in the changelog are still
> allowed before the tag sequence begins, but once the sequence has started,
> any 'Link:' tags must follow the ordered commit tags. 
> 
> Link: https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/process/maintainer-tip.html#ordering-of-commit-tags # [1]
>

So, you are citing ordering rules specific to the "tip" tree.

I don't think there is any wider consensus with regard to such strict
rules.

I have to say that your change will make a lot of unneeded noise for
most contributors.

If such warnings are only shown when the user opted in to the tip rule,
say, by using a "--tip" flag or something, they might be helpful.

BR, Akira

> Signed-off-by: Hendrik Hamerlinck <hendrik.hamerlinck@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> ---
>  Documentation/dev-tools/checkpatch.rst |  6 ++++
>  scripts/checkpatch.pl                  | 40 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>  2 files changed, 46 insertions(+)
[...]